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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 18, 2013 Page 24 Mayor Roe opened the Public Hearing at approximately 9:13 p.m. for the purpose of considering the transfer of the off-sale liquor license from Network Liquors to Minnesota Fine Wines & Spirits, LLC operating under the name of Total Wine & More; and relocating to a new location at 2401 Fairview Avenue N, Suite 105. Public Comment Steve Burwell,2482 Albert Street As the owner and operator of Fairview Wine & Spirits at 2579 Fairview Avenue since 1985, Mr. Burwell noted that this new venture represented a big operation for Roseville. Mr. Burwell stated that all the liquor stores in Roseville combined did not do $10-13 million in annual operations. With the location of his existing business within 1200' from the proposed store, and another off-sale about 500' from the proposed store, Mr. Burwell opined that it was the intent of this applicant to come to MN and dominate the market; effectively impacting every liquor store in Roseville. Mr. Burwell noted that all of the existing liquor stores in Roseville were independent retailers with the exception of Rainbow Foods; with several of those businesses currently trying to recover and possibly unable to do so if this group opens up in Roseville. Mr. Burwell opined that this big box format is not what is best for the Roseville community; and would take away business from in- dependent people; as well as affecting retailers in St. Paul, Little Canada, Maple- wood and St. Anthony. Mr. Burwell opined that he had been blessed to work in Roseville as long as he has; however, he didn't think his career would end this way; but if the license goes through neither he nor several other stores will be around next year. Bill Griffith, Larkin Hoffman Law Firm, representing the Minnesota Li- censed Beverage Association Mr. Griffith stated that the Association was seeking additional time before the City Council acted on this application; advising that additional information had just been received from the State of New Jersey earlier today, provided as a bench handout. Mr. Griffith noted that this delay was similar to the additional six (6) weeks for the City of Bloomington to further investigate; and opined that this latest infor- mation bore directly on the applicability of this applicant to operate in the State of MN. Mr. Griffith opined that issuance of a license was a privilege, not a right; and every applicant had to prove good moral standing; and if not, should be pro- hibited and ineligible from holding a license; which their presentation tonight would bear on. Mr. Griffith advised that he had a number of cases, as submitted to City Attorney Gaughan, demonstrating that the Trone's, as owners and principles of this pro- posed licensee, were active in litigation against their state's regulatory system and competitors in several states (e.g. FL, MA, PA, TX); specific to and at the of a